Sabathia A Tough Sign For Tribe

Because of the expected historical deal Johan Santana will receive from the Mets, Cleveland ace and dominant lefthander CC Sabathia will become a difficult sign for the Indians. Sabathia is eligible for free agency following the 2008 season, however his name has not yet been bandied about in trade rumors.

The report continues by speculating "the Indians are not going to give Sabathia a contract for that much money or that many years." From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

The next person to stop at Seven-Eleven should pick up chips and dip for C.C. Sabathia's goodbye party. They can hold it on the mound at newly named Progressive Field.

If the Mets complete their trade for Minnesota's Johan San tana, they might as well buy some cold drinks to wash down the chips because there's no way Saba thia will be an Indian after the 2008 season. If the Mets land Santana, it means they've agreed to a five- to six-year deal that could be worth between $130 million and $150 million.

As said before here and elsewhere, Sabathia may well become the second place prize for those who lost out on the Santana sweepstakes. The Yankees will surely take part in acquiring the mammoth southpaw.

* In the meantime, the Orioles will make one last attempt to sign Erik Bedard before moving forward with trade opportunities. Just a hunch, but Bedard will end up in Seattle.